Exercise & breathing

gbbhey
gbbhey Posts: 188
in Fitness and Exercise
Beyond frustrated here - during the summer and fall months I was running 5Ks, with an occasional 5 miler thrown in there, but the dry climate in Nevada combined with the winter has me feeling defeated; recently it's been a half mile to a mile and I am fully out of breath, to the point where I have to stop. Depending on how harsh it is, sometimes I can't speak for close to 30 minutes after running, just can't seem to catch my breath at all.

Doc has prescribed me an inhaler, checked my heart, and ordered cardio pulmonary tests, but not much luck into figuring this thing out. I absolutely love being active and outside, nothing's going to change that. Hiking and exploring are what drive me and keep me centered, it's just a bummer that I have to take it slow until it rains or temps increase.

Anyone have a similar situation they are going through/been through? I'd love to hear of other techniques to hopefully get around this. I'm not the most in shape guy, but I have come a long long way and and have taken enough care of myself over the last few years where the efforts I put in should see more results than this.

Cheers,
Jared

Replies

  • gbbhey
    gbbhey Posts: 188
    To add - I feel out of breath while walking longer distances/uphill (more so than usual). Haven't touched a cigarette in almost 6 months either
  • koootenay
    koootenay Posts: 126 Member
    Could it be the cold weather? Just throwing this out there, but what if the cold is making it harder on your body to function as efficient like in the summer?
  • acogg
    acogg Posts: 1,870 Member
    Perhaps slow it down until you adjust?
  • zagon_the_ultimate
    zagon_the_ultimate Posts: 115 Member
    yeahhhh, get to a doctor.....sooner than later.

    1. ex-smoker
    2. lungs are not getting better
    3. lungs are getting worse


    i think you can guess my concerns.
  • Dancerten
    Dancerten Posts: 237 Member
    Have you tried running/walking with a scarf or something over your mouth and nose? It would help keep the air you're breathing in and out warm and moist (sounds gross, I know, but if it's the cold dry air bothering your lungs and airways it might help).

    Also, do you have the same problem on the treadmill at the gym, where it's a more temperature controlled environment?
  • gbbhey
    gbbhey Posts: 188
    Unfortunately I have the same issue outside and the treadmill. I purchased a humidifier to see if maybe that helps, but thanks for the tips on the scarf too!
  • sweetpea03b
    sweetpea03b Posts: 1,123 Member
    I was going to go with the same answer as Dancerten.... I have a harder time breathing when I run in the winter (in NC - its pretty frigid outside right now).... so I zip my hoodie up to cover my mouth and that helps my breathing a little. Do you breath in and out through your nose? Maybe try in through your nose and out through your mouth or another combo might make it easier....
  • sarahrbraun
    sarahrbraun Posts: 2,261 Member
    Beyond frustrated here - during the summer and fall months I was running 5Ks, with an occasional 5 miler thrown in there, but the dry climate in Nevada combined with the winter has me feeling defeated; recently it's been a half mile to a mile and I am fully out of breath, to the point where I have to stop. Depending on how harsh it is, sometimes I can't speak for close to 30 minutes after running, just can't seem to catch my breath at all.

    Doc has prescribed me an inhaler, checked my heart, and ordered cardio pulmonary tests, but not much luck into figuring this thing out. I absolutely love being active and outside, nothing's going to change that. Hiking and exploring are what drive me and keep me centered, it's just a bummer that I have to take it slow until it rains or temps increase.

    Anyone have a similar situation they are going through/been through? I'd love to hear of other techniques to hopefully get around this. I'm not the most in shape guy, but I have come a long long way and and have taken enough care of myself over the last few years where the efforts I put in should see more results than this.

    Cheers,
    Jared

    It sounds like you may need to see an asthma/pulmonary specialist.

    I have asthma, pretty bad at times. Several years ago I had a rough 4-6 months where I had bronchitis and asthma flares pretty much continuously. I was on antibiotics and steroids at least 10 days out of every month! Finally we hit upon a combination of medications that got me back on track--advair, singulair, and then albuterol before exercise--and was on them for over a year. 8 months ago I had some insurance issues, and could not afford the advair and singulair, so I dropped them. My lung volume dropped from 120% (fully medicated) to 90% ( just albuterol before workouts). After my second checkup at 90% lung volume, my asthma specialist gave me her blessing to stay off the advair and singulair.

    I will tell you, when I DO do cardio, breathing is NOT what slows me down...
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,989 Member
    Unfortunately cigarette smoking possibly destroy some of the air sac in your lungs. They don't recover as well even after quitting smoking. Part of the reason why I don't do well in endurance running (which is why I also don't do it). You can get fit, but maybe not quite as fit as a non smoker.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • raige123
    raige123 Posts: 352
    Beyond frustrated here - during the summer and fall months I was running 5Ks, with an occasional 5 miler thrown in there, but the dry climate in Nevada combined with the winter has me feeling defeated; recently it's been a half mile to a mile and I am fully out of breath, to the point where I have to stop. Depending on how harsh it is, sometimes I can't speak for close to 30 minutes after running, just can't seem to catch my breath at all.

    Doc has prescribed me an inhaler, checked my heart, and ordered cardio pulmonary tests, but not much luck into figuring this thing out. I absolutely love being active and outside, nothing's going to change that. Hiking and exploring are what drive me and keep me centered, it's just a bummer that I have to take it slow until it rains or temps increase.

    Anyone have a similar situation they are going through/been through? I'd love to hear of other techniques to hopefully get around this. I'm not the most in shape guy, but I have come a long long way and and have taken enough care of myself over the last few years where the efforts I put in should see more results than this.

    Cheers,
    Jared

    I have exercise induced asthma and it get really aggravated by the cold. I have the actual asthma under control but on cold days it's really hard to get my breath. I have had to get something to cover my nose and mouth when I run in the cold weather to be able to breathe on my runs. You can get a Buff or just use a Belaclava or even a bandana covering your mouth. The Buff is nice because it's moisture wicking but I have used everything from a knitted neck protector, to a bandana and they do get moist from breathing through them but I can breathe and that's kind of the point. Try using something to cover your nose and mouth and see if that helps.
  • ossentia
    ossentia Posts: 96 Member
    Your lungs are in the process of healing themselves. You'll find that over the next few months you may cough more than you even did as a smoker. You will be out of breath easier than before, as you've noticed already. This is part of the healing process. Smoking is a nasty habit. Your body is repairing all that damage you've done to it. The good news is that this won't last forever. If you don't notice it getting better within the next few months, I'd be more persistant with the doctor, but for right now, it all sounds pretty normal.
  • mrsmammahunter
    mrsmammahunter Posts: 221 Member
    yeahhhh, get to a doctor.....sooner than later.

    1. ex-smoker
    2. lungs are not getting better
    3. lungs are getting worse


    i think you can guess my concerns.

    My thoughts exactly. I used to smoke HEAVILY I quit cold turkey and never had the problems you are having....
  • beatlesfan31
    beatlesfan31 Posts: 66 Member
    I also live in a dry climate - Arizona - and I have been having the same problems. My doc thinks it's alllergies. I'm a pretty decent hiker but the last few months I've had to slow down due to not being able to catch my breath.
  • Rerun201
    Rerun201 Posts: 125 Member
    yeahhhh, get to a doctor.....sooner than later.

    1. ex-smoker
    2. lungs are not getting better
    3. lungs are getting worse


    i think you can guess my concerns.


    My thoughts exactly. I used to smoke HEAVILY I quit cold turkey and never had the problems you are having....


    Another vote for getting completely tested, medically speaking. I'm a former smoker and former runner (ran a 38:11 10K while smoking a pack a day) and had no problems like this when I was smoking or when I quit. Living in Michigan, cold weather is part of life. I could run all through the winter without much of an issue like this.

    Above 0 degrees F, never had a problem; below 0 degrees, covered the mouth.
  • gbbhey
    gbbhey Posts: 188
    Cool - thanks all, I appreciate the replies. Have a follow up appointment next week with the doc. We'll see what happens. I wouldn't be surprised w/ an asthma or allergy diagnosis. Maybe the military could just move me back close to the beach/sea level, and all my problems will go away (</wishfulthinking/Sarcasmfont>)
  • superfox12082
    superfox12082 Posts: 512 Member
    A couple months after my BF quit smoking he started having all kinds of problems. He was constantly coughing, couldn't catch his breath while just walking and was having all sorts of allergy issues. He now takes allergy meds and uses an inhaler daily. His doctor told him it was his body's way of getting rid of all the junk smoking causes and hides. It's been two years and he is muuuch better. He still uses the inhaler (he did have asthma as a child) and takes the allergy meds because he's always had seasonal allergies. But he's not coughing up his lungs constantly and can breath just fine now. You may need to give it a little more time. :)

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